Starting gear



Patented Sept. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I EDWIN A. DOUIB, 0F WALNUT, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JOHN M. HARPER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI STARTING GEAR Application filed March 18, 1931. Serial No. 523,587,.

This invention relates to starting motors, and more particularly to the construction of the power pinion and means for transmitting movement to the power pinion, to rotate the motor for starting the motor.

An important object of the invention is to provide a one piece clutch member, thereby insuring a more positive return of the starting gear when the motor starts running, thus eliminating back slap of the pinion and clutch member.

A further object of the invention is the provision of cushioning means at the outer end of the drive shaft sleeve to be engaged by the power pinion, thereby eliminating the arring and resultant damage to the clutch memher and pinion, when the motor is thrown into operation.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangementof parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1. is a plan view of a starting gear assembl showing a starting gear in position on the starting motor shaft.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of amotor drive shaft with drive shaft sleeve. and combined clutch member and pinion and housing in which cushioning members are positioned.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line H of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designates the starting motor drive shaft on which the starting gear is mounted, the starting gear being held in position by means of screw 5'. which extends through the sleeve 6 and collar 17. the inner end of the screw being disposed in an opening formed in the motor drive shaft 5. The sleeve 16 is mounted on the shaft 5 and is provided with a blade 16' extending from one end thereof. Collar 17 is provided with a blade 17 of a construction identical with the blade 1.6,=the blades 17 and 16 being disposed at opposite sides of the shaft 5. These blades 16 and 17 provide iookets therebetween, for the reception of ru ber cushioning blocks 7, against which the blades move when the motor is thrown into operation. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, to tary movement of the starting shaft will be imparted to the drive shaft sleeve 16 and ,outer sleeve 11, through the blades and rubundue strain caused by the sudden movement of the starting motor.

At the outer end of the drive shaft 16 is a nut 8 against which the rubber cushioning member '9 is positioned, there being provided a washer 10 positioned on the inner side of the rubber cushioning member 9 to cushion the action of the outer sleeve and pinion, when the outer sleeve 11 is thrown to the limit of its outward movement.

The outer sleeve 11 is formed with cam slots 12, which slots accommodate the pins 13 that extend radially from the drive shaft sleeve 16. Thus it will be obvious that the of the drive shaft sleeve 16 to engage the teeth of the fly wheel with which the device is used. when the clutch member 11 is rotated by the starting motor shaft.

The reference character 14 designates a pinion formed at the outer end of the sleeve 11, which pinion is adapted to mesh with the teeth of the fly wheehto rotate thefiy wheel and impart the initial movement to the crank shaft of the engine, to start the engine.

An annular flange 15 is formed at one end of the sleeve 1L and provides a bearing surface for the inner end of the clutch member 11, so that the sleeve 11 may engage one end of the housing (3, when the sleeve 11 is thrown to its neutral position.

As indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawing, the slots 12 extend through the flange-15 so that the sleeve 11 may be readily removed from the sleeve 16. When the sleeve 11 is moved outwardly, or to its active position, the pinion 14 engages the Washer 10, to the end that the severe strain directed to the pinion and the sleeve 11, vhen:the sleeve is moved to its-active position, Will be absorbed by the cushion member 9, thereby reducing Wear to the minimum. 7

In order that the sleeve 11' will be held in its inactive position, while the motor is running, the flange 15 is formed with an Y opening to receive the spring pressed ball 20 I that normally rests in the depression 21 formed in the drive shaft sleeve 16.

I claim: A motor starter embodying a shaft, cush-- ioning means at the outer end of the shaft, a sleeve mounted on theshaft, a blade atone end of the sleeve and disposed in parallel relation to the shaft, a pin extending from the sleeve, an outer sleeve mounted on the first mentioned sleeve, the outer sleeve having a cam slot in which the pin moves, to move the outer sleeve longitudinally of the shaft when the shaft is rotated, a pinion on one end of the outer sleeve and adapted to move into engagement with the teeth of a fly Wheel of a motor to start the motor, a blade secured to the shaft, a sleeve surrounding the blades, rubber cushioning members positioned between the blades to restrict rotary movement of the outer sleeve, and a collar fitted in one end of the sleeve surrounding the blades.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I' have hereto affixed my signature.

EDWIN A. DOUB. 

